Free cyber safety workshops are being offered to Katherine parents, schools and students in November.
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After the tragic death of Amy “Dolly” Everett in January this year following sustained bullying, her parents Kate and Tick Everett set up “Dolly's Dream”.
Kate and Tick partnered with national children’s charity, the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, to raise awareness about the seriousness of bullying and its devastating effects and work to address bullying and cyber bullying issues, especially in regional Australia.
Dolly’s Dream will also provide advice on mitigation to schools, and how to change the culture to help prevent bullying from happening in the first place.
The Everetts said they have been overwhelmed by the support they have received from the Australian public, especially in rural and regional areas, and particularly in Katherine.
“The support we have received from the Katherine community has been unbelievable,” Kate Everett said.
“That is why the new Dolly's Dream Advisory Board wanted the very first delivery of Dolly's Dream programs and services to be in Katherine.”
Schools in Katherine have been offered cyber safety workshops that will be delivered by expert staff from the Alannah & Madeline Foundation, beginning on November 19.
The Foundation will also offer a parent workshop on Tuesday, November 20 at Knotts Crossing, open to all parents in Katherine.
The event will be held from 7.30-8.30pm and is free.
All these activities will be provided by Dolly's Dream following the generous support to its fundraising efforts.
“Because we expect the Parent workshop to be popular, we will use a free booking system,” Kate said.
To book for the Parent Workshop: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/parenting-in-a-digital-world-tickets-51228612158
In the last 12 months, one in four Australian children reported being bullied.
The Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s report, The Economic Cost of Bullying in Australian Schools, revealed that children who experience bullying are more likely to experience a mental health issue in the future. Students who identify as LGBTQI experience 80 per cent of their bullying during their school life. Two out of three CALD students and students with disabilities will experience bullying at school.
Unfortunately, those who bully are 3.5 times more likely to instigate family violence and the economic cost of bullying to the Australian community is over $2.3billion.
Tick and Kate are hopeful that their efforts to honour Dolly will raise awareness of the impact of bullying and help prevent it happening to other children.
For help and information:
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800
ReachOut reachout.com.au
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